Lion Inn Circular (Blakey Ridge) - 10 miles + Lunch option (see below)

Second run-out for this walk and this time there is the option of booking a place for an after-walk meal at this great hostelry (see details below). The Lion Inn is situated 1300ft above sea level on the narrowest point of Blakey Ridge, which separates the valleys of Rosedale and Farndale. There has been a hostelry here from the 13th century, possibly used by monks heading along the exposed Blakey Ridge to and from Guisborough Priory. The present day inn dates from the 16th century and is an essential stop on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk.

Ah yes, the walk! Significant sections of ascent & descent with stunning views. You should be perfectly comfortable with both ascent & descent although I would not classify this as a strenuous walk. Given the route drops from a height into the valley bottom and back up again, expect to experience a range of temperatures on the day.

The walk commences from the Inn as we cross the road and head down a short descent to pick up the tracked of the former Rosedale railway. We follow this good, solid track for a considerable way, taking in the panoramic vista en route.

Eventually we come across a row of former workers cottages, from where we commence a steep descent to the attractive village of Rosedale Abbey where we will have a 20 minute break - this INCLUDES using the nearby public conveniences!

After our break, we take a straightforward route towards the head of Rosedale, passing through Thorgill and admiring the views across the other side of the valley where we can see the remnants of a bygone age when Rosedale was an important mining area.

Eventually we pick up a long zig-zag path that ascends steeply back up to the railway trackbed and our return to the welcoming Lion Inn.

Terrain: old railway trackbed, rocky paths, fields, lanes, country tracks.

The walk will be led at a steady pace: not too fast, not too slow. Please be ready to start walking at the advertised time.

Walk fee: £3. No dogs please. Bring food & drink provisions.

We will only be having one break of twenty minutes on this walk, given there is the option to book a place on the meal.

Start point: Lion Inn, Blakey Ridge, YO62 7LQ (see photo). If travelling through Hutton-le-Hole, there are public toilets in the National Park car park and, once you’ve driven through H-L-H, the road rises to bring you up onto Blakey Ridge. There is a large parking area at the pub but please park in the area away from the pub entrance.

MEAL OPTION: I have booked a table for 12 people at 2.45pm. We are required to pre-order given the size of our Group. I will ask you to refer to the pub's website nearer the time to advise me of your choices for 'mains' - I'm sure we we can order desserts at the time if required! Another reason for pre-ordering is that Sundays are busy at the pub and there is a good chance they will run out of Sunday roasts if we don't pre-order! If opting for the roast, you can request more than one choice of meat for an extra £1. Please post a message on the walk page if you would like to book a place for the meal.

I have no formal walk leader or first-aid qualifications and the Group does not have insurance. When you RSVP for any walk, you accept that you remain responsible for your own safety at all times. You are required to respect the walk leader and to be aware of the safety of others. Please keep to the pace of the group and don’t go off ahead even if you think you know the route.